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1. Dictionary

   es·sen·tial

   /əˈsen(t)SH(ə)l/

   adjective

   • 1. absolutely necessary; extremely important: "it is essential to keep up-to-date records" Similar crucialnecessarykeyvitalindispensableneededrequiredcalled forrequisiteimportantall-importantvitally importantof the utmost importanceof great consequenceof the essencecriticallife-and-deathimperativemandatorycompulsoryobligatorycompellingurgentpressingburningacuteparamountpreeminenthigh-prioritysignificantconsequentialOpposite inessentialunimportantoptional
   • ▪ fundamental or central to the nature of something or someone: "the essential weakness of the plaintiff's case" Similar basicinherentfundamentalquintessentialintrinsicunderlyingcharacteristicinnaterudimentaryprimaryprincipalcardinalchiefelementaryelementalcentralpivotalcriticalkeyfocalsalientstaplevitalnecessaryindispensablefoundationalingrainedOpposite secondary
   • ▪ (of an amino acid or fatty acid) required for normal growth but not synthesized in the body and therefore necessary in the diet.
   • 2. (of a disease) with no known external stimulus or cause; idiopathic: "essential hypertension"

   noun

   • 1. a thing that is absolutely necessary: "we had only the bare essentials in the way of gear" Similar necessitynecessary/essential itemprerequisiterequisiterequirementneedconditionpreconditionspecificationstipulationqualificationdesideratumsine qua noninformal:mustOpposite inessential
   • ▪ the fundamental elements or characteristics of something: "he was quick to grasp the essentials of an opponent's argument" Similar fundamentalsbasicsrudimentsprinciplesfirst principlesfoundationspreliminariesgroundworkessencebasiscorekernelnubmarrowmeatcruxbedrockfactshard factspracticalitiesrealitiessine qua noninformal:nitty-grittybrass tacksnuts and boltsABCOpposite minutiae

   Word Origin Middle English (in the sense ‘in the highest degree’): from late Latin essentialis, from Latin essentia (see essence).

   Derivatives

   • 1. essentiality noun
   • 2. essentialness noun

   Scrabble Points: 9

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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishESSENTIAL | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   ESSENTIAL definition: 1. necessary or needed: 2. relating to something's or someone's basic or most important qualities…. Learn more.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryESSENTIAL | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   ESSENTIAL meaning: 1. necessary or needed: 2. relating to something's or someone's basic or most important qualities…. Learn more.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › essentialESSENTIAL Definition & Meaning - Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › essential

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   Essential definition: absolutely necessary; indispensable. See examples of ESSENTIAL used in a sentence.

5. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishESSENTIAL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   Definition of 'essential' essential. (ɪsenʃəl ) Word forms: essentials. 1. adjective B1+. Something that is essential is extremely important or absolutely necessary to a particular subject, situation, or activity. It was absolutely essential to separate crops from the areas that animals used as pasture.

6. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › essentialEssential Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › essential

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   The meaning of ESSENTIAL is of, relating to, or constituting essence : inherent. How to use essential in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Essential.

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishessential adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation, synonyms and examples of the adjective essential, which means completely necessary or extremely important. Find out how to use essential in different contexts and collocations with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app.

8. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › essentialessential | meaning of essential in Longman Dictionary of...

   www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › essential

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   essential meaning, definition, what is essential: extremely important and necessary: Learn more.

9. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishessential adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

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   essential extremely important and completely necessary, because without it something cannot exist, be made, or be successful: Experience is essential for this job. vital essential: The police play a vital role in our society.

10. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryESSENTIAL | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

    dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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    Fibre is essential for a healthy digestive system. [ + to do sth ] It is essential to arrive early for the show. [ + (that) ] It is absolutely essential that she gets this message .

11. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › EssentialEssential - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

    www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › Essential

    Essential means very basic or necessary. A good frying pan is one of a short list of kitchen essentials every cook must have. To prevent fires, it's essential to turn off appliances before leaving the house. The adjective essential is often followed by to or that: It is essential to wash your hands. It is essential that you dry them